Christ Covenant Church

God’s Promise to Abraham

Jeff — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:44:55 +0000

God chose Abraham by grace. He had nothing to recommend himself to God’s favor. In making a covenant with Abraham, God did not rely on the faithfulness of fallen man but on the lovingkindness and trustworthiness of Himself. God’s promise to Abraham and His covenant with Abraham depended on the supernatural power of God. God kept His promise to Abraham and through Abraham’s seed all the families of the earth are being blessed. In Abraham’s seed, Jesus Christ, all nations may be reconciled to God. Believers live to proclaim the blessing that comes through the seed of Abraham. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Genesis 12-21.

Unity After Babel

Jeff — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 21:47:57 +0000

When man determined to make a name for himself in building the tower of Babel, God dispersed the rebels and confused their tongues. Since then mankind has known many different languages. While living as rebels unity is a bad thing - it allows men to unify in rebellion against God. God’s plan for creation does include unity in the future. Yet, it will be quite a different sort than at Babel. In the future God intends for mankind to be unified under the lordship of God, to be His people in His kingdom. This kingdom will come as every knee bows and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. All believers long for this day of unity. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Genesis 11:1-9.

A God of Justice and Mercy

Jeff — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:47:58 +0000

God’s justice and mercy is seen throughout the Bible. In the story of Noah and the Flood, both attributes are clearly seen. God’s justice was seen in the death of those who rejected the Lordship of God. At the same time, God’s mercy was seen in the rescue of Noah, his family and many animals. The two themes of justice and mercy are seen throughout the rest of the Bible as God brings punishment, yet still remembers mercy. Believers hope in this mercy as we look forward to God judging all mankind on the last day. On that day we are told there will be much justice - that is, many will be condemned to eternal destruction. Yet, for those found in Christ, there will be much mercy on that day - and an eternal inheritance of joy. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Genesis 6-9.

The Blood of Abel

Jeff — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 20:21:53 +0000

Abel was killed by his brother. Now the only son of Adam left is Cain. Could it really be that the One who would crush the serpent’s head (promised in Genesis 3:15) be from the seed of Cain? The history of Cain’s descendents paints a bleak picture. Yet, God is faithful to provide another seed: Seth. But what about Abel? His blood was lying on the ground crying out to the Lord. The cry was one of vengeance, wrath , guilt and death. Is this all that is left for mankind: alone suffering the just punishment for sin? The Good News is that there is blood that speaks a better word than that of Abel: the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:24). Where Abel’s blood cried for vengeance, the blood of Jesus cries for the removal of vengeance and the exercise of mercy. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Genesis 4.

Rejecting God’s Rule

Jeff — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:18:44 +0000

The sin in the garden was about much more than eating fruit that should have been left alone. The sin was committed because man began to question if living under the rule of God was really the best way to live. Once man questioned if God’s way was best, then determined that it was not best, all that was left to do was make his own rule: God says I cannot eat this fruit, but I say I can eat this fruit. Each day we sin in nearly the same way. We question if it really is better to live by God’s rules, then determine that it is better for us to do something other than submit to God, and we thereby sin. The consequences of sin are real and severe. Yet, even in wrath God remembers mercy. This mercy is most clearly seen in the last Adam, Jesus Christ. Just as in Adam we sinned and deserve condemnation, in Christ we are righteous and justified and have peace with God. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Genesis 3.

Christ in the Old Testament

Jeff — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:36:21 +0000

Does the Old Testament have anything to say about Jesus? According to Jesus, the whole Old Testament testifies to Him. From the law of Moses to the Prophets it testifies about Christ - and Jesus is the Christ. The Old Testament expects Christ to come, suffer, rise after three days, and be the One though whom forgiveness of sins is possible. Is this the way you read the Old Testament? If not, you read it like one not illuminated by the Holy Spirit. Let us, by God’s help, read our Old Testament and see Christ wherever we look. To listen to this sermon, click on the following link: Luke 24:25-27, 44-47.

Spreading the Gospel of Jesus

Jeff — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 18:52:01 +0000

The book of Acts records the spreading of the Gospel. It begins with the words of Jesus that His followers are to receive the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses. This will empower them to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. The task was to spread the gospel. This task was to be carried out by the followers of Christ and would be achieved at great cost to those who did the spreading. Yet, it is imperative that this task be recognized as the spreading of a message: Jesus, the Christ, crucified for our justification. The message of Jesus Christ would build the church. The same is true today. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 28:1-24.

Has God Planned a Shipwreck?

Jeff — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:32:09 +0000

Paul was appointed by God to testify about Jesus in Rome. God’s plan included extended imprisonment for Paul, highlighted by a near-death shipwreck at sea. Through the shipwreck, God glorified Himself by saving all Paul’s shipmates from certain death. This temporary salvation gave Paul’s shipmates a much greater gift than they may have realized at the time: an opportunity to repent another day. In preserving those livesGod commended Paul and his message: forgivness of sins though faith in Jesus, the Christ. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 27:1-44.

God’s Promise to the Fathers was Jesus

Jeff — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:41:03 +0000

Paul defends himself before Agrippa by explaining his hope. This is the same hope of the fathers who received a promise from God. This is the same hope shared by the prophets and Moses. Paul’s hope was in a Christ that would suffer and be raised from the dead. The promise of a Christ was fulfilled in the suffering and raising of Jesus of Nazareth. God raised Jesus from the dead, thereby affirming the claims of Jesus - most notably deity and Messiahship. Paul proclaimed that forgiveness of sins is possible only through faith in Jesus the Christ. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 26:1-23.

Does It Really Matter Why?

Jeff — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 19:34:01 +0000

If I do what is right, does it really matter why I do it? This question is examined from a biblical perspective in light of Paul’s trial before Festus. In the trial Festus initially does not fulfill a request made by the Jews regarding the trial of Paul. Was this a virtuous act? What constitutes a virtuous act? These questions are examined in our sermon today. To listen to this sermon, please click on the following link: Acts 25:1-12.